Fall Visit to Wisconsin Quilt Museum

When I wasn't blogging much these past several months, I was still taking pictures as if I were.

(Someone plowed into this sign near the Quilt Museum - note the street name!)

And even though I wasn't doing much in the way of  making quilts, I did some quilt-related things here and there.  Like visit an exhibit at the Wisconsin Quilt Museum, attend a talk by Heidi Parkes, and take in a local quilt show.  More on those last two another time.

In late November, we visited the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts for the exhibit titled "In Death."

("Raw Emotion" by Victoria Findlay Wolfe)

We stopped in on our way through the area for another event, and did a fairly quick walk through due to time constraints.  

("Unresolved" by Ruth Marchese)

I took a lot of photos of the quilts, as well as of the information posted for each one, so I could read about and appreciate these pieces more later.

Given what was happening with my dad's declining health at the time, I also needed time to process the subject on my own terms.

("Jim's Medicine Bag" by Karen Ann Hoffman)

("Streak O'Lightning II" by Katherine Knauer)

Contrary to what one might think, it wasn't an altogether somber exhibit.  The wide range of creativity of expression and imagination on display in each of the quilts was the transcendent take-away.

("My Epitaph Quilt" by Susan Lenz)

 

 

The detail on many of these pieces was extraordinary.  Beading, embroidery, buttons, lace and other embellishments, and words, not to mention the quilting.

("Free of Bonds" by Jill Kerttula)

 

 

Oftentimes we are captivated by pretty fabrics, but these quilts really drew you in by what they had to say and how they were saying it.

("Leaving" by Jill Kerttula)

There were many more on display, but these were a few of the highlights.  I'm glad we took the opportunity to see the exhibit before it closed.

Wisconsin Quilt Museum - Part 2

This is a continuation of our day trip to the Wisconsin Quilt Museum a few weeks ago, to see the "Trends and Traditions" exhibit, which has now closed.  If you missed part one, which featured the double wedding ring quilts of Victoria Findlay Wolfe, you'll find it back a couple of posts HERE.

The second part of the exhibit featured traditional quilts made during the first half of the twentieth century, although some of them seemed to have quite a "modern" vibe to them, I thought.

"Muscatel Grape Quilt" designed by Mary McElwain, appliqued by Genevieve Peters Wainwright, begun in 1937 and completed in 1989, quilted by the Ladies Aid Society of the Community Church, Fontana, Wisconsin

The featured quilter in the traditional quilts display was Mary McElwain of Walworth, Wisconsin, who designed and sold quilts, quilt patterns and kits.  She started out in 1912, in a corner of her husband's jewelry store, and then expanded from there.

I'm going to include some of the signs that told her story throughout this post.  Click on the photos to make them larger and more readable, as necessary.

"Gypsy Tears" quilt, a/k/a Drunkard's Path

Close-up of hand quilting, quilted 11-13 stitches per inch.

The pattern for the "Gypsy Tears" quilt was printed on a batting wrapper, like the one shown below, which indicated "Pattern furnished courtesy of the Mary McElwain quilt shop."

This next one was one of my favorites of the whole "Traditions" exhibit.  I just loved everything about it, the colors, the pattern, the quilting—oh my!

It's called "Pine and Wreath" or "Trees and Garlands," made in the second quarter of the twentieth century.

"Pine and Wreath" or "Trees and Garlands"

Norm enjoyed seeing the quilts, believe it or not.  Maybe he didn't enjoy having his picture taken as much, though.

"Daisy Chain" made circa 1935

This one, called "Daisy Chain," was made about 1935, and was one of Mary McElwain's favorite designs, as noted in the blurb below. 

Close-up of "Daisy Chain" applique and quilting

"The Laurel" made circa 1937-1938

The fine handwork of these quilts just blew me away!

Close-up of "Oak Leaf and Acorn" quilting and applique

"Oak Leaf and Acorn" made circa 1936

"Modern Rose Quilt" or "Peachy Posey" made around 1936

Double Irish Chain Quilt

It was fun to read one person's account of being a quilt turner in Mary McElwain's shop:

How interesting to see this 1941 invoice for a quilt from Mary's shop.  An entire quilt for $31.36!  I like the line that says "Color...gorgeous."  At least I think that's what it says, what do you think?

I hope I haven't overwhelmed you with too many photos.  It was just so interesting to see all of these quilts (and more), still so compelling and colorful and beautiful after all these years. 

Close-up of "Horn of Plenty" quilt

I'm so glad for places like the Wisconsin Quilt Museum and the opportunity to appreciate the quilts of the past, as well as modern day quilting.  It was a great visit!

A Day at the Wisconsin Quilt Museum

On a bright and breezy autumn day in early October, Norm and I took a little road trip to the Wisconsin Quilt Museum.  I wanted to catch the "Trends and Traditions" exhibit before it was due to close the following week.  

It included a number of beautiful quilts by Victoria Findlay Wolfe, and I didn't want to miss the chance to get up close and personal with her colorful and inspirational work.

Right off the bat, as we came through the main door of the quilt museum, these bright star quilts were there to greet us.

Summer of Stars by Victoria Findlay Wolfe

They were breathtaking!

True North by Victoria Findlay Wolfe

Close-up of quilting (by Shannon Baker) on True North by Victoria Findlay Wolfe

Quilters Play Manhattan by Victoria Findlay Wolfe

In the main part of the quilt museum were the remainder of the quilts for "Trends and Traditions."  These included awe-inspiring double wedding ring variation quilts by Victoria Findlay Wolfe, as well as traditional quilts by Mary McElwain, an important Walworth, Wisconsin quilt designer and quilt store owner from the early part of the twentieth century.  I'll cover those quilts in a separate post.  I loved that exhibit as well, and did equal ooh-ing and aah-ing over both the "trends" and "traditions" genres.

Double-Edged Love by Victoria Findlay Wolfe

Close-up of quilting (by Lisa Sipes) on Double-Edged Love

There were so many unique iterations of these quilts!

A Summer's Day by Victoria Findlay Wolfe

I loved this one (below) named Farm Girl.  The quilting on it, by Karen McTavish, was exquisite.

Farm Girl by Victoria Findlay Wolfe

Close-ups of quilting (by Karen McTavish) on Farm Girl by Victoria Findlay Wolfe

Iris By Night by Victoria Findlay Wolfe

A smaller quilt based on the same pattern, the name of which I forgot to note:

By Victoria Findlay Wolfe

A quilting closeup of another striking DWR quilt:

By Victoria Findlay Wolfe

The polyester quilt (below) pays homage to her grandmother Elda Wolfe's influence.  There were several of Elda's quilts on display as well, which illustrated the connection Victoria has to her quilting roots.

Retro Poly Mod by Victoria Findlay Wolfe

Who knew there could be so many interesting variations on a theme!

Leona by Victoria Findlay Wolfe

I really enjoyed this exhibit.  You can appreciate a quilt on a blog or in a book, but to see the colors and details in person is a wonderful experience. 

By Victoria Findlay Wolfe

As I mentioned, the traditional quilts on display were every bit as captivating! Stay tuned for those in part two of A Day at the Wisconsin Quilt Museum.